Safety Advice

Tutor Pages » Safety Advice

Update: The Tutor Pages Interim Statement on the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) (June 2010)

Home Secretary Theresa May has put the introduction of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) on hold while it undergoes a thorough review.

With this in mind, our interim statement on child protection (published in June 2010) still contains the most up-to-date information and advice on child protection in the private tuition context, and we urge all parents and tutors to read it at www.thetutorpages.com/media-room/june-2010-child-protection-interim-statement.pdf

The Tutor Pages is not an Agency

The primary purpose of The Tutor Pages is to provide useful information and advice on all aspects of the UK private tuition industry. It also accepts advertising from tutors and tuition centres so that you, as a student or parent, can contact potential tutors free of charge.

The consequence of this arrangement is that we don't perform background checks on the tutors listed, and that you need to take responsibility for making sure that:

the tutor is safe for you or your child
the tutor has been truthful in the information they've provided in their profile
the tutor is competent in the services they offer
you understand the payment terms and conditions which the tutor offers you

Why do we work it this way?

The major reason is cost. Using the services of a tuition agency will usually mean paying both an introduction fee and commission on every hour that you study. If you're confident in making an assessment of the tutor yourself (and we show you how to below), then hiring a tutor directly can certainly be a good option.

A direct arrangement with the tutor is the method of choice for many well-qualified and experienced tutors. This way of working has always worked for private music tuition, and we're extending the principle to academic and other types of tuition.

What if I have a complaint about a tutor?

The Tutor Pages cannot control what happens between students and tutors once they decide to meet in person. However, should you encounter behaviour that may be deemed harmful to other students, you are requested to contact The Tutor Pages with full details and we may, at our sole discretion, suspend or delete the offending tutor’s profile.

Please note that The Tutor Pages will not get involved in any disputes between students and tutors.

A Word on Contracts

Tutors may present you with a written contract, or it may be a verbal contract. In our advice to tutors, we recommend the use of a written contract, and this is because it sets out clear boundaries and raises expectations all round. If a tutor doesn't use a written contract, you may wish to suggest using one in the interests of maintaining a clear and professional relationship. We include a sample contract in our free e-book for tutors.

The terms of a contract are for you and the tutor to negotiate. This means that any agreement you make is with the tutor and not with The Tutor Pages. Finally, use of this website means that you agree to our own terms and conditions.

Safety Advice For Parents

While the vast majority of private tutors are reputable, we recognise that parents still need to be cautious when hiring a private tutor directly. So here is our advice for contacting independent tutors:

consider hiring a tutor who has an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. The Criminal Records Bureau perform a CRB check on anyone before they work at schools, charities or other organisations to make sure there is no known reason why they may not work with children. Tutors who have had a CRB check will say so in their interview section of their Tutor Pages profile, and you can ask to see their CRB disclosure certificate when you meet them. However, please be aware that many excellent tutors do not possess CRB certificates, because only institutions and not self-employed individuals are permitted to apply for one.
ask the tutor for details of two referees, and follow them both up with a phone call.
ask the tutor for details of the parents of some current or former students.
check to see whether the tutor is properly accredited and qualified by asking to see evidence such as certificates, and then contacting the relevant accreditation body or organisation.
ask the tutor pro-active questions, and listen for inconsistencies in information you are being told.
be clear where the tutoring will take place and who will be present. You may wish either to be present in the same room, or to leave the door open and enter the room at random.
trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid of calling off the lessons if you or your child feels uncomfortable.

For more information on assessing a potential tutor, please read our FAQ.

Safety Advice For Students

While the vast majority of tutors are reputable, students are still advised to take care of their personal safety when meeting a tutor for the first time. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust gives expert advice on all areas personal safety, and we've used some of their ideas for the following tips:

try to talk on the phone before meeting. Ask pro-active questions, and listen for inconsistencies in information you are being told.
trust your instinct and don’t be afraid to call off the meeting if you feel worried.
meet in daylight, and in a public place if possible.
don’t let anyone pick you up by car.
take your mobile phone with you, and possibly a personal alarm.
tell a friend or family member where you are going, and when you expect to return.
if you are visiting someone’s home, ask if anyone else is going to be there and, if you’re concerned, also ask about any pets.
if someone is visiting your home, let them know that a friend or family member may also be there.